make all your food?

barneydee_2

I to want to do a lot more , I do cook a lot from scratch I make all my own sauces, curries,stir fries, when being lazy I do by ready made pastry. At the moment I feel I have lost my love of cooking mainly because my other half is so fussy, but I have gran kids know who I would like to bake with, this weekend is their mums birthday so as I have them over night we are going to bake a birthday cake will let you know how it works out.
Like others have said I want to cut out as many preservatives as possible.
Dee

GwylimT

The only cheat food we buy are tomato pur!e and tomato pasata.

Caterina

I used to make a lot more stuff, from baked beans to tofu, but now I rely on shop bought a lot of the time. I no longer make bread or cakes because no matter how much I make it would get eaten in a sitting, not good for the waistline.

Having said that, I cook all veg dishes, sauces, soups and casseroles from scratch.

peachyprice

I do make most of my own food from scratch. I always make my own pasta sauces, bolognaise, marinara, carbonara etc., but I don't make the pasta and I do sometimes by the ready filled tortellini type pasta. I make my own bread at the weekends, I couldn't keep up with the amount of bread we get through during the week if I baked every day. I make my own pizzas, my own gravy, my own sauces, cakes, desserts and pastry. My one and only ready meal 'indulgence' is Indian.

[Deleted User]

I make cakes and biscuits, but not bread as I don't eat it (I changed to shop bought Crackerbread about a year ago, as I got fed up of the 'pappy' bread from the shop)s and either eat that, or ryvita type crackers.I do cook from scratch ,but I always have, and just never thought that 'ready meals' tasted very nice.
I do use Birds custard though as its quick and easy to do. I use bisto powder not granules as I prefer them. I make my own soups,stews etc and probably only buy tinned tomatos and beans.So its about 80% home made and 20% shop bought I prefer a greengrocers to the supermarket. but saying that, I use Aldis/Lidls for basic flour etc.I forage for blackberries and apples during the year and my freezer is packed full of HM stuff.

I am lucky that there is a good wet-fish shop locally or I can drive to Whitstable and buy fish that was caught the that day.Toiletries and cleaning stuff can be bought from Family Bargains or the local pound shop. Vinegar will clean almost anything, and bicarb of soda sprinkled on the carpet the night before then hoovered up in the morning is cheaper and nicer than the shak'n'vac stuff.
There are lots of ways of cutting down that are just common sense I only use white vinegar on towels in my washing machine My late Mum never used or had 'conditioner' for hair or clothes.Washing is line-dried or put on the airer to dry. I don't own or want a tumble dryer or a dishwasher I have a pair of hands and a bowl of hot water that does the job just as well.

Old sheets cut up and hemmed round are used as cloth dusters or cleaning cloths Chuck them in a hot was afterwards.There is so much that is bought that is really unecessary and unneeded and just costs you money. Look at any cupboard under the sink in almost any house, and you will see it full of unused stuff bought at the SM on a whim. I have been just as guilty at time, and now very little resides under my sink apart from essential stuff. Go to the local library and borrow, even a children cook book to get you started. Cooking is not hard and will save you pounds and at least you know what your families eating

I am not keen on pizza's anyway so I never bother with them, I'd rather have a good HM casserole to fill me up with fresh veg Even lasange can be made using just veg if you fancy a break from meat I do eat meat, but have cut back on a lot as its just overpriced imho. Become a canny shopper and you will end up with money in your purse Even a curry can be made for very little outlay.
Good Luck JackieO xx

LameWolf

Ironically, I do all this bloomin' stuff because DH likes it, but the truth of the matter is, I absolutely loathe cooking.:rotfl:

Datchet

Cally_Smart wrote: »

We have to, to make the budget go further. My husband has type 2 diabetes so good to know how much sugar is in things. I try and grow my own tomatoes ,courgettes,lettuce, runner beans & herbs -that livens the food up no end and are ready to pick when needed saving money buying them & so much more convenient. I make my own bread in the bread maker,we eat it fresh on first day then it makes far better toast that a limp piece of packaged white bread does, the next day .I have to buy wholemeal as I couldn't make enough for his packed lunches every day.I would wear the machine out! Plus I forage for wild foods when I can but draw the line at mushrooms- far too dangerous they all look the same to me !! My relatives have apples trees/plum trees so I get some given to us in the Autumn. I make Cornish pasties(that's where my Grandmother came from& I can remember as a child watching her make them every Wednesday) As I'm over 50 I came from the age when you learnt how to make things in Domestic Science (as it was called then)at our comprehensive school. We were lucky enough to have a fantastic teacher who gave us a love of cooking & baking with simple things like scones ,Eves pudding & sausage plait. I've posted some of our meals in 'What are you making for dinner tonight' on the forum.

One tip on the Diabetes aspect - we grow Jerusalem Artichokes ( can't help it really! They are invasive & keep coming back!!) our neighbour is diabetic and they are on his diet sheet as they don't contain starch, they contain " Inluine". There's a a catch though; many folk can't digest them & they cause horrendous wind!😵
If you have room to grow, like a neglected border- stick a couple of tubers in!

emilykf

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

HM pasta is surprisingly easy, so is gnocchi.

See here

http://www.channel4.com/search/?q=simply+italian

Thanks Butterfly Brain!